Perceptions of Health-Care Workers on Technology Adoption in Health-Care Facilities in Eswatini

This chapter explores the perceptions of health-care workers in adopting the electronic recording system in health-care facilities located in Manzini region of Eswatini. The study also investigates the available support systems for health-care workers to effectively use the electronic data management system in Eswatini. Grounded on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Awareness Desire Knowledge Ability and Reinforcement (ADKAR) model of change of 2006, qualitative phenomenological design was employed to gain more insights on the lived experiences of the health-care workers. The study population was 180 health-care workers, of whom 12 were purposively sampled—6 males and females—to participate in the study. The sample comprised of five doctors, two administrators, and five nurses selected from two health-care facilities in Manzini region who responded to semi-structured interview questions. It was found that the younger health-care workers adopted the e-health records management system better than the older ones and that the latter lamented the lack of technological skills. Resistance to change among staff was also noted. As a result, the older professionals resorted to print records. Notable inefficiencies and incompatibility of the system to the needs of the health-care provision were also noted. It was also found that the employer did not commit much support for effective implementation of this system. Lack of technical support was also raised as well as delayed technical response to troubleshooting. The study recommends ICT training for staff as well as a need for in-house technical support to speed up the troubleshooting response. A need to tailor training based on the diverse health-care workers’ needs is underscored.